Acoustic performance in a lightweight ventilated façade for building refurbishment: analysing the impact of variations in airborne sound insulation according to the ventilation characteristics

The use of double-sheet enclosures with an intermediate air chamber in façades guarantees a higher quality of acoustic insulation against external airborne noise. The effective advantages of the intermediate air chamber depend mainly on its airtightness and the absorbent material contained inside. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Niampira Daza, Andrea, Zamora i Mestre, Joan-Lluís|||0000-0002-7705-6171
Format: article
Publication Date:2019
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/178177
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/178177
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Facades
Ventilated air cavity
Airborne sound insulation
Lightweight ventilated façade (LVF)
Building refurbishment
Façanes
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Edificació::Elements constructius d'edificis::Elements de tancament
Description
Summary:The use of double-sheet enclosures with an intermediate air chamber in façades guarantees a higher quality of acoustic insulation against external airborne noise. The effective advantages of the intermediate air chamber depend mainly on its airtightness and the absorbent material contained inside. A ventilated façade with lightweight cladding (LVF) is a specific construction system for double-sheet envelope façades, characterised by an intermediate air chamber that enables a certain amount of internal air circulation, with resulting cooling effects to alleviate excess solar radiation whilst reducing the risk of dampness caused by rainwater. However, owing to this ventilation of the intermediate air chamber, the acoustic insulation of the entire façade could prove less effective than cases in which the intermediate air chamber is completely sealed. Through various methods of measurement and analysis, several authors consider that the opening of the intermediate air chamber for hygrothermal control purposes does not necessarily represent a significant reduction in the level of sound insulation in general. What does appear to have a significant influence on the acoustic behaviour is the surface and location of the intermediate air chamber openings to enable ventilation. The results of this research are presented as further evidence that the positive contribution of LVF should be acknowledged at a regulatory level regarding sound insulating, double-sheet envelope architectural façades.